Autographic register



Aug; 22, 1939. c. JOHNSTON AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 VE TO wiifi ATTORNEY Aug. 22, 1939. c. L. JOHNSTON 2,170,143

I AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed Feb. 10, 193% 4 Sheets-$heet 2 Q- ii i F 1 V I 2 TO TTORNEY 1939- c. JOHNSTON AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed Feb. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I VE TOR www. Kw

ATTORNEY 1939- c. L. JOHNSTON AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 10, 1938 /ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 28 Claims.

This invention pertains to strip feeding and refolding mechanism particularly applicable 'to manifolding apparatus wherein multiple copies of inscribed legends are produced in longitudinallyl spaced sequence upon superposed continuous strips of series connected form station- "ery initially collectively interfolded in zig-zag formation and advanced from a source of supply thereof past record receiving position by pin type feeding means engageablein longitudinally spaced feed holes in the strips, and more particularly relates to means for automatically effecting refolding of one "or more strips upon their original fold lines after having passed beyond the record receiving and feeding positions.

' While for illustrative purposes, but with no intent to unduly restrict or limit the scope or application of the invention, it is herein shown and described as embodied in a portable type autographic register, wherein the original or top copy of the inscribed forms is ejected from the register, while one or more duplicate copies are refolded within a storage compartment of restricted size within the register housing. It is to be understood however that the present device is equally applicable to other styles and types of strip-feeding or record-making apparatus, including typewriting and tabulating machines, billing machines, addressograph ma-- chines, and also to strip-feeding means for other than record-making purposes.

In the present embodiment of the invention one or more zig-zag folded strips are advanced from a supply packet past a record receiving position by a pin type'feeding device from which succeeding form lengths of the strip or strips are stripped at different relatively spaced points as they leave the feeding device, and are directed in the;travel of such feeding means, is deemed to be within the scope of the invention.

' Although it has heretofore been quite common to provide in autographic registers for delivery to a storage compartment of a locked in or secret copy, and folding devices have tions have necessitated relatively large compartments and special strip controldevices which require considerable space for operation.

Quite to the contrary the present apparatus is of compact form, contained within the limits A further object of the invention is to'provide automatically adjustable stripper means for disengaging the strip from the feeding device at alternate points in the path oftravel of the strip.

A further object of the invention is to enable alternate disengaged folds of the zig-zag strip to be automatically tucked into limited storage space.

A further object of theinvention is toprovide combined feeding, a stripping means for continuous strip of material whereby its direction of travel as it leaves the feeding means will be automatically reversed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip feeding and refolding means having the herein mentioned structural features and meritorious characteristics With the above primary and other incidental objects in View as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings wherein is shown the preferred, but obviously not necessarily the only embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a conventional form of portable autographic register in which the invention is embodied.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the register with the cover removed to disclose certain of the operating parts.

Fig. 3 is also a perspective view of the register with the cover raised and the separator or deflector raised and strip material removed.

Fig. 4 is a detail top plan view of the feeding and stripper parts.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the register, showing the strip being retracted rearwardly into a fold beneath the feeding device.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the strip being advanced into a forwardly directed fold.

Fig. '7 is a detail view of the driving gear train.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a modified construction and correspond to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the primary disclosure.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the construction illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view of a modification wherein a single stripper disc is associated with each pin wheel and the housing lid is formed to serve as a strip retainer for preventing its accidental disengagement from the pin wheel.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

While the present strip feeding and folding apparatus is applicable to strips for various purposes other than manifolding, the particular autographic register adopted for illustrating practical application of the invention is of the portable type wherein superposed record strips of series connected detachable forms are withdrawn from a supply packet and progressively advanced over a writing tablet whereon the received manifolded records by means of interleaved transfer material, and one or more of the forms are ejected from the register for detachment from the supply strips while corresponding copies are returned to a storage compartment within the registry for permanent record of the inscribed matter. In as much as the several strips of series connected forms are interfolded in zigzag fashion in the supply packets, it is convenient and desirable that the stored copies which remain intact in continuous strip form shall be compactly refolded on the original fold lines as they are deposited in the storage compartment.

As illustrated in the drawings, the register housing comprises a bottom pan like portion 1 and an overlying cover portion 2 hinged to the lower portion l and having therein an opening 3, beneath which superposed strips 4 are advanced a full form length at each operation to present succeeding forms thereof in registry with the opening 3 to receive record insscriptions thereon. Supported on vertical side walls 5, spaced inwardly from the sides of the housing, is a writing tablet 6, which extends both forwardly and rearwardly of the opening 3. At the rear of the tablet 6 is a guide member, having therein a series of transverse slots providing spaced guide bars 1 for individual strips 4. Contiguous thereto is a transverse guide rod 8 common to the assembly of strips about which the strips 4 are drawn onto the writing tablet 6 from a storage space 9 intermediate the side walls 5 and beneath the rear portion of the writing tablet 6.

Located in the forward portion of the housing beyond the opening 3 is a pair of rotary pin wheels [0, one adjacent to each side of the register and interconnected for unison rotation. The pin wheels IE1 are mounted in approximately tangential relation with the writing tablet 6 through slots H of which the pins thereof project into feeding engagement in two series of longitudinally spaced holes [2 in the strips 4.

The forward end of the writing tablet is preferably, although not necessarily, curved downwardly at IS in concentric relation with the pin wheels l0 and beyond which portion the pins of the wheels I0 project.

Pivoted on a transverse axis [4 forwardly of the pin wheels I0 is a thin angular separator or stripper plate I5 which overlies the forward portion of the writing tablet 6 and has therein slots l6 which register with the slots ll of the writing table for clearance of the feeding pins of the wheels H3.

The strips 4, having been engaged with the rotary pin wheels by projection of the pins thereof in succeeding holes of the strips, tend to cling to the wheels and follow the peripheries thereof through a reverse travel motion. The separator plate l5, however, being interposed between the superposed strips operates to separate the advanced portions of the overlying strips from the pin wheels and direct them from the register through the exit slot l1, while the underlying strip or strips, adhering to the pin wheels, are permitted to continue a downward course about the curved front end [3 of the writing tablet. Unless stripped therefrom such strip or strips will continue to follow the peripheries of the wheels and be carried rearwardly therebeneath.

To separate the engaged strip from the pin wheels and direct it into succeeding reverse folds within a storage compartment [8 beneath the pin wheels, there are provided in close parallel relation with each of the pin wheels l0 oscillatory cam discs 20 loosely journaled concentrically with the pin wheels for independent to and fro oscillatory motion, in timed sequence with the rotation of the pin wheels; The cam discs are preferably arranged in pairs comprising interconnected discs at opposite sides of the respective pin wheels.

Various driving means may be employed for actuating the stripper discs. As one method there is shown. in Figs. 3 and 4 a rotary crank member 2| mounted in the side walls 5, carrying a gear 22 meshing with an idler pinion 23 which in turn has operative engagement with a driving gear 24 carried on the pin wheel shaft and rotating in unison with the pin wheels. The gear ratio of the driving train is such that the gear 22 and crank are given a half rotation during each full rotation of the pin wheels. Pitman bars 25 interconnect the crank member with the cam discs or strippers pertaining to each pin wheel. The pin wheels are given one full rotation at each operation by means of a hand crank or actuating disc 26 secured to the pin wheel shaft. A spring detent- 21 limits the rotary movement by engagement with a stop 28 at the com pletion of each rotation. Each rotation of the pin wheels leaves the crank member 2| in either its down-turned position as in Fig. 5 or up-turned position shown in Fig. 6. In each relation of the crank member the stripper discs 20 return to their home positions indicated by dotted lines in the said views.

Starting from the dotted line home position of Fig. 5 the stripper discs are swung rearwardly or toward the right out of the way of the advancing strip, which clinging to the pins of the pinwheels I0 is carried through a full reverse turn and a fold there is tucked rearwardly within the storage compartment l8. However, as the pin wheels complete their rotation the stripper discs are turned downwardly from their solid line position of Fig. 5 to the dotted line home position they gently press the rearwardly advancing portion of the strip off the feeding pins, leaving the disengaged portion in a rearwardly directed fold. Upon the next operation of the pin wheels through their full rotation, the crank member 2| will complete its remaining half rotation. In so doing the stripper discs will be swung from their dotted line home position in a forward direction to the solid line position shown in Fig. 6. During this movement the strip is gradually cammed off the forward portion of the pin wheels, causing the advancing strip to leave the pin wheels in. the upper forward quarter of the wheels and before the strip has made its reverse turn with the wheels. Being disengaged from the pin wheels at the upper forward portion thereof as shown in Fig. 6, the succeeding fold of the strip is directed forwardly in the storage compartment and during the final movement the stripper discs are returned from. the solid line position of Fig. 6 to the dotted line home position preparatory to repetition of the cycle of operation.

Thus the to and fro motion of the stripper means disengages the strip from the pin wheels alternately before and after it has made its reverse turn. Such disengagement occurs alternately at relatively spaced points in the path of travel of the strip and rotation of the pin wheels. By this means succeeding advanced portions of the strips are directed in one direction and then in the other. This results in the retained strip being disposed in compact foldswhich as the storage compartment fills are tucked more and more closely beneath the rotating pin wheels into a minimum space.

As an illustration of alternative actuation means for the strip-per discs there is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 wherein a crank pin on a gear corresponding to the gear 23 of the former construction operatively engages in a cam slot in the stripper disc, to effect a to and fro oscillatory movement as before described.

In such modified mechanism the driving gear 24 which rotates in unison with the pin wheels meshes with a driven gear 28' mounted: upon a support 29 engaging at one end over the pin Wheel hub and bifurcated at its opposite end for engagement with a transverse rod 30. Such method of mounting is for manufacuring convenience and other mounting means may be pro-- vided for the gear. Projecting laterally from the gear 28' is a crank pin 3| or preferably a roller stud for antifriction engagement. The pin 3| has operative engagement in an angular slot 32 in the stripper disc. As the gear is rotated the disc is oscillated in synchronism with successive rotations first in one direction and then in the other. The gears 24 and 28 are so proportioned that one rotation of the pin wheel and driving gear 24 transmits to the gear 28' and crank pin 3| a half rotation, which is completed upon the next rotation of the pin wheel. The stripper discs are disposed on opposite sides of the pin Wheels and interconnected in pairs for unison motion, as shown in Fig. 8. During one rotation of the pin wheel the roller stud or crank pin 3| travels downwardly in the cam slot 32, causing the stripper discs to be retracted to the position shown in Fig. 9. This permits the engaged strip to cling to the pin wheel through a greater range of feeding travel and is separated therefrom at the bottom rearward quarter of the pin wheels after fold has been directed rearwardly in the storage compartment. As the rotation of the pin wheels is completed the crank pin 35 returns in the slot to a mid-length position, thereby returning the discs to normal or home position preparatory to the succeeding operation. On the next rotation of the pin wheels the stripper discs are swung forwardly to the position shown in Fig. 9 whereby the strip is disengaged before it makes a reverse turn and passes beneath the'pin wheel, and the succeeding fold of the strip is thus directed forwardly.

Fig. 12 illustrates a modification wherein the stripper cam 20 is located on one side of the pin wheel only and is provided with an extended marginal flange 20' engageable with ample area of the strip to facilitate its engagement from the pin wheel. Thus it is obvious that it is not essential that stripper discs be located at both sides of the feeding devices. There is also shown in Fig. 12 an indentation 33 in the under side of the housing top which provides clearance for the feeding pins while the contiguous portions of the housing top prevent displacement of the strip from the pins and serve as a guide therefor.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, the stripper cam has been shown in different positions, to-wit: fully retracted, illustrated by dotted lines; at an intermediate stripping position, indicated by dot and dash lines, and fully advanced, as shown by solid lines.

The advancing strip clings to the pin wheel until the succeeding'fold thereof reaches the contact point with the advancing stripper disc. As the stripper disc advances from the dot and dash position to the solid line position, simultaneously with advancement of the strip, the fold of the strip automatically reverses itself with a slight snap-over action which releases a limited con.- tinuing portion of the strip from the pin wheel in advance of the stripper disc. Such condition is shown by solid lines in Fig. 6.

The relation of the strip and stripper disc immediately before such reversal is shown in Fig. 6 by dot and dash lines. In. the fully retracted dotted line position of the disc the fold of the strip is permitted to continue in engagement with the pin wheel to the maximum point where it engages the disc and is guided thence into a reverse fold at the rear of the pack.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus a rotary pin wheel engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip for advancing the strip a measured distance at each rotation and eccentrio discs mounted contiguous thereto for to and fro motion about an axis common with the pin wheels and interconnecting means constructed and arranged to .swing the discs from an intermediate position to an extreme position in one direction and return them to normal during one rotation of the pin wheels and to swing'the same discs from an intermediate position to an ex- 3. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus feeding means for advancing a continuous strip of material constructed and arranged to maintain its feeding engagement therewith through a path of travel including therein a reverse bend and alternating stripper means engageable with the strip at relatively spaced positions for disengaging succeeding portions of the strip from the feeding means alternately before and after traversing the reverse bend.

4. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus rotary feeding means for a continuous strip of material constructed and arranged to maintain its feeding engagement therewith and relatively adjustable cooperating guide means for directing succeeding portions of a strip as discharged therefrom alternately in fore and aft directions relative to the path of travel of said guide means, means for alternating the adjustable guide means in timed sequence with the feeding means.

5. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus a pin type feeding device engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed and a stripper means operated in synchronism With the pin type feeding device for disengaging the strip therefrom at alternate points in its travel movement.

6. In a strip feeding and refolding apparatus a feeding device for progressively advancing a strip of material through a reverse turn in its path of travel and adjustable camming means engaged by the strip for automatically disengaging the strip from the feeding device alternately before and after succeeding portions thereof have been advanced through the reverse turn thereof, and means for adjusting the camming means in timed relation with the advance of the strip. a

7. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus strip feeding means progressively movable through a circuitous path of travel, including strip engaging means adapted to retain its feeding engagement with the strip and stripper means operative at relatively spaced points for disengaging the strip from the feeding means during the forward and return movements thereof alternately.

8. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus a rotary pin wheel for progressive feeding engagement in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed, and an oscillatory eccentric'mounted. contiguous to the pin wheel in overlapping relaiton with the feeding pins thereof for to and fro motion about a common axis and means for alternating the movement of the eccentric in timed relation with the rotation of the pin wheel to cam the engaged strip therefrom at alternate relatively spaced circumferential points of the pin wheel.

9. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus a pin wheel having progressive feeding engagement in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed and adapted to retain its engagement therewith throughout a reverse arc of travel, and stripper means cooperating therewith to disengage succeeding portions of the strip therefrom alternately before and after reversal of its direction of travel.

10. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus the combination with a feeding means including strip engaging means adapted to retain its engagement of the strip being fed through a reverse feeding movement thereof until the strip is disengaged therefrom, of movable stripper means automatically operative in alternate positions to disengage the strip from the feeding means and means for alternating the operative position of the stripper means by actuation of the feeding means.

11. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, feeding means having tenacious engagement with a strip of material for progressively advancing the strip through a reverse turn in its path of travel, stripper means for disengaging succeeding portions of the strip from engagement with the feeding means alternately before and after such portions pass through such reverse turn, and means actuated by the feeding means for effecting alternating operation of the stripper means.

12. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus a pin wheel feeding device engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in the strip to advance the strip a measured distance at each operation, and strip-per means for disengaging succeeding portions of the strip from the pin wheel in timed relation with the advancement of the strip, and means for automatically alternating the point of operation of the stripper means in unison with the actuation of the pin wheel feeding device, the construction and arrangement being such that the strip is disengaged from the pin wheel during one cycle of operation after the engaged portion has completed substantially a one half turn in its path of travel and during the succeeding cycle of operation before it has initiated a reverse turn.

13. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, strip feeding means for having normal uniformly effective feeding engagement with material strips throughout advancement of the strips through a reverse turn in their path of travel, and means for automatically effecting disengagement of suc ceeding portions of an engaged strip alternately before and after such reverse turn.

14. In an apparatus for feeding and folding a continuous strip of material including a rotary pin wheel engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in the strip, an eccentric mounted upon a common axis with the pin wheel for to and fro oscillatory motion relative thereto, and actuating means for oscillating the eccentric in timed relation with rotation of the pin wheel, the construction and arrangement being such that during one operation of the pin wheel the eccentric is swung in one direction and during the succeeding operation of the pin wheel the eccentrio is swung in the opposite direction, to correspondingly disengage the strip from the pin wheel at different points in its path of travel.

15. In an apparatus for feeding and folding a continuous strip a pin wheel engageable in 1ongitudinally spaced holes in a strip for advancing the strip in unison with rotation of the pin wheel, a receiving compartment beneath the pin wheel into which the strip is directed through a reverse travel movement from the under side of the pin wheel, and stripper means for disengaging succeeding portions of the strip from. the pin wheel alternately before and after they have traversed the reverse travel movement, the construction and arrangement being such that at each alternate operation of the pin wheel a portion ofthe strip is tucked in a rearward direction there beneath in a rearward fold and at each intermediate operation the alternate portions of the strip are directed into a forwardly directed fold.

16. In an apparatus for feeding and folding a continuous strip of material a pin wheel engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in the strip for advancing the same a measured distance at each operation, rotary actuating means for the pin wheel making a full rotation at each operation, an alternating stripper means operable to disengage succeeding portions of the strip from the pin wheel at alternate positions in their pathof travel, rotary actuating means for the stripper means making a half rotation at each operation and interconnection between the pin wheel actuating means and stripper actuating means for operating same in unison.

17. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, a rotary pin wheel feeding member engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in the strip, for advancing the strip a measured distance at each actuation, and alternating stripper means for disengaging succeeding portions of the strip from the pin wheel at different points in their path of travel, actuating means for alternating the stripper including a rotary crank member operable through a half turn at each actuation, and an operating connection between said crank and the pin wheel, the construction and arrangement being such that the stripper actuating crank is operated through a one half turn during one feeding movement of the pin wheel and through the remaining half turn during the succeeding operation of the pin wheel.

18. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, a rotary pin wheel feeding member engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in the strip, for advancing the strip a measured distance at each actuation, an oscillatory stripper member movable to and fro in timed relation with rotation of the pin wheel for disengaging succeeding portions of the strip therefrom at different points in their path of travel, actuating means therefor including a rotary crank member moving in unison with the rotation of the pin wheel, a pitman connecting the crank arm and oscillatory stripper, the construction and arrangement being such that during one operation of the pin wheel the crank is actuated through a half turn to oscillate the stripper in one direction and during the succeeding operation of the pin wheel the stripper is oscillated in the opposite direction.

19. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, a rotary pin wheel feeding member engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in the strip, for advancing the strip a measured distance at each actuation, an oscillatory stripper member movable to and fro in timed relation with rotation of the pin wheel for disengaging succeeding portions of the strip therefrom at different points in their path of travel, actuating means therefor including a rotary crank member moving in unison with the rotation of the pin wheel, a cam slot in the stripper member in which the crank member has operative iengagement, the construction and arrangement being such that during one operation of the pin wheel the crank is actuated through a half turn to oscillate the stripper in one direction and during the succeeding operation of the pin wheel the stripper is oscillated in the opposite direction.

20. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus,

feeding means for advancing a strip of material operable through successive cycles and having normal uniformly effective feeding engagement With strip throughout advancement thereof to feed the strip a measured distance at each operation, strip release means operable in synchronism with the feeding means for effecting disengagement ofthe strip from the feeding means alternately at different points in the path of advancement of the strip, and common actuating means therefor, the construction and arrangement being such that succeeding portions of the strip are discharged from the feeding means first in one direction and then in the other and deposited in zig-zag formation.

21. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, a pin type feeding device operable through succeeding feeding cycles and engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip of material for advancing the strip a measured distance at each operation, stripper means mounted contiguous thereto for to and fro adjustment into different strip engaging positions in synchronism with the operation of the feeding device, the construction and arrangement being such that alternate portions of the strip are discharged rearwardly beneath the feeding device and intermediate portions thereof are discharged forwardly thereof, the successive discharged portions of the strip being deposited in zig-zag formation.

22. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, a strip feeding device for advancing a strip of material operable through successive feeding cycles and having normal uniformly effective feeding engagement with the strip throughout advancement thereof to advance the strip a measured distance at each operation, and an adjustable guide means operable in synchronism with the feeding means having engagement with the strip being fed during alternate feeding operations for directing alternate portions of the strip in. reverse direction, the construction and arrangement being such that succeeding portions of the strip are discharged from the feeding device in alternating directions and deposited in zig-zag formation.

23. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, a traveling pin type feeding device operable through succeeding cycles of operation and progressively engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip of material to be fed for advancing the strip a measured distance at each operation, said feeding device tending to retain its engagement with the strip and advance the strip through a reverse turn and thence in reverse direction, and an automatically operating stripper means operable in synchronism with the feeding device and operative upon alternate feeding operations of the feeding device to disengage alternate portions of the strip therefrom before advancement through the reverse turn, the construction and arrangement being such that succeeding portions of the strip are discharged from the feeding device in alternate directions and deposited in zigzag formation.

24. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus a strip feeding means for advancing a strip of material operable through succeeding cycles and having normal uniformly effective feeding engagement with the strip throughout advancement thereof to advance the strip through a measured distance at each operation, said feeding device tending toretain its control of the strip and advance the strip through a reverse turn and thence in reverse direction, and a strip release means operable in synchronism with the feeding device to effect release of alternate portions of the strip from control of the feeding device before advancement through the reverse turn, and common actuating means for the feeding and strip release means, the construction and arrangement being such that succeeding portions of the strip are discharged in alternate directions and deposited in zig-zag formation;

25. In an apparatus for feeding and folding a continuous strip of material including a rotary pin wheel engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in the strip, an eccentric mounted upon a common axis with the pin wheel for to and fro oscillatory motion relative thereto, and actuating means for oscillating the eccentric inftimed relation with rotation of the pin wheel, the construction and arrangement being such that during one operation of the pin wheel the eccentric is swung in one direction and during the succeeding operation of the pin wheel the eccentric is swung in the opposite direction, to correspondingly disengage the strip from the pinv wheel at different points in its path of travel, and the shape of the eccentric being such as to engage and remove the strip from the pins progressively toward the point of initial feeding engagement of the pin wheel with the strip.

26. In an apparatus for feeding and folding a continuous strip of material including a rotary pin wheel engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in the strip, an eccentric mounted upon a common axis with the pin wheel for to and fro oscillatory motion relative thereto, and actuating means for oscillating the eccentric in timed relation with rotation of the pin wheel, the construction and arrangement being such that during one operation of the pin wheel the eccentric is swung in one direction and during the succeeding operation of the pin wheel the eccentric is swung in the opposite direction, to correspond ingly disengage the strip from the pin wheel at difierent points in its path of travel, and the eccentric being shaped with respect to the circum ference of the pin wheel to engage and remove the strip therefrom progressively toward the point of initial feeding engagement of the pin Wheel with the strip.

27. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, a rotary pin wheel progressively engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed and tending to carry the strip through a reverse path of travel and means for disengaging the strip therefrom alternately at different points in its path of travel, the disengaging means being so constructed and arranged as to engage and remove the strip from the pin wheel progressively toward the point of initial feeding engagement of the pin Wheel with the strip.

28. In a strip feeding and folding apparatus, a rotary pin wheel progressively engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed and tending to carry the strip through a reverse path of travel and means for disengaging the strip therefrom alternately at different points in its path of travel, the disengaging means being shaped with respect to the circumference of the pin wheel to intersect the circumference thereof and engage and remove the strip from the pin wheel progressively toward the point of initial feeding engagement of the pin wheel with the strip.

CLARENCE L. JOHNSTON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,170,1L August. 2.2, 1 9 9;

CLARENCE L. JOHNSTON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, lines 2'? and 28, for "the received" read they receive and second column, line 18, for "downward" read downwardly; page 5, first column, line 2, for the word "forward" read forwardly; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of October, A. D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

